Invisible String

28

I smiled, feeling warm inside despite the crisp fall air. “Yeah, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

Mira let out a soft coo from her spot on the blanket nearby, her tiny hands reaching toward the fluttering leaves.

Lily looked up at Travis and asked, “Daddy, can you help me build a leaf pile big enough to jump in?”

He smiled wider and crouched down, “Challenge accepted.”

I settled into the porch chair, watching them team up, the simple joy of the moment filling the morning with an easy, peaceful happiness. It was exactly what I needed before the day ahead.

Lily and Travis gathered as many leaves as they could, making a huge pile right at the edge of the porch. Mira watched with fascination, occasionally letting out little squeals and slapping her hands on the blanket like she was cheering them on.

“Alright, I think this is big enough,” Travis said, wiping his hands and stepping back. “Lil, you ready?”

She nodded enthusiastically, backing up to get a running start. I grabbed my phone, already recording. “Okay, go for it!”

Lily sprinted and jumped, landing right in the middle of the pile with a burst of laughter and flying leaves.

“She’s got form,” I teased.

Travis turned and gave me a grin. “Clearly takes after me.”

Mira giggled from her spot, then let out a high-pitched babble like she wanted in on the fun. I leaned over and scooped her up, balancing her on my hip.

“You wanna try next fall, huh?” I said, kissing her cheek.

We spent the rest of the afternoon outside, the girls taking turns jumping in the pile, Travis eventually joining in and pretending to get “buried alive” in leaves. I sat with Mira on the porch steps, her warm little body leaning against mine as we watched our family, my heart feeling full in that quiet, golden moment.

I felt my phone buzz in my pocket just as I was brushing leaves out of Mira’s hair. She had one stuck right to her cheek, and I was mid-laugh when I glanced at the screen.

Austin.

My stomach immediately tightened. He didn’t usually call—especially not out of the blue. Not unless something was wrong.

I stood up quickly, giving Travis a look that said I’ll be right back as I stepped off the porch and into the yard.

“Hey,” I answered, my voice soft but on high alert. “Everything okay?”

There was silence for a few seconds. And then Austin’s voice came through—quiet, cracked, and exhausted.

“I’m in a bar parking lot.”

I stopped walking. “What?”

“I didn’t go in,” he rushed out. “I’ve been here for an hour. Just… sitting in the car. I don’t know why I even drove here. I thought I could just… sit with it. But I almost went in, Tay. I really almost did.”

I pressed my fingers to my temple and closed my eyes, my heart hammering. “Austin... thank you for calling. That’s huge. I’m so proud of you for not going in.”

He let out this shaky breath that made me want to crawl through the phone and hug him. “I didn’t know who else to call. I’m by myself here. I know I’m supposed to be learning how to be alone with it, but tonight... I don’t know. It just hit different.”

“Of course you called me,” I said gently. “That’s exactly what you’re supposed to do. You’re not weak for needing someone, Austin. This is what strength looks like. Sitting in a car. Not walking in.”